Reg's recommendations for City Stages '09

Here's my list of "must see" acts for this year's City Stages music festival.

1) Zee Avi - Will be one of the artists everyone leaves talking about. Has what it takes to be the next Norah Jones. Saw her at SXSW and was completely impressed.(Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - Legacy Credit Union Stage)

2) Roman Candle - This one is right in my wheel house and the band's new record "Oh Tall Tree In The Ear" is a favorite for my album of the year. Live show doesn't miss a beat either.(Saturday, 7 p.m. - Boost Mobile Discovery Stage)

3) Dead Confederate - Imagine Nirvana if they had come out of the South instead of Seattle. Mix in a little David Gilmouresque guitar, some Sonic Youth noise and just a dash of Skynard and you have DC. They will rock your b***s off.(Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Boost Mobile Discovery Stage)

4) Erin McCarley - If you judged this book by it's cover, this one would be a best seller. But it doesn't stop there. Unlike most pretty faces in the music business, there is depth and substance to this artist. She is an adept songwriter, her song Pitter-Pat will bring you to your knees, and has a voice that soothes like a chilled shot of Jack.(Saturday, 5 p.m. - Legacy Credit Union Stage)

7) Courtney Jaye - Her album is aptly titles "The Exotic Sounds Of Courtney Jaye" and I couldn't describe the music any better. Charming, talented and engaging, Courtney will be another one that everyone leaves the festival talking about.(Sunday, 2 p.m. - Miller Lite Stage)

8) Meiko - Worth seeing just to hear her unique lilting voice. Her self-titled record was one of my favorites of last year. She's a troubadour's troubadour and you will find yourself enraptured with her storytelling and laughing out loud at her hilarious tales.(Saturday, 4:30 p.m. - Miller Lite Stage)